Keep Cutworms Out Of Your Burlington Lawn

Are cutworms getting in the way of your lawn pest control?  Don't let these pesky nuisances make a hassle out of your Burlington lawn maintenance routine.  Protect your property from these hungry insects with professional, insecticides from Nutri-Lawn.

What are cutworms?
Cutworms are actually a variety of caterpillar.  However, cutworms aren't always easy to identify as part of your lawn maintenance care routine. This is because there are so many different types of cutworms.  They are so named because of the way they destroy plants – chewing at the stems of grass or other vegetation until the rest of the plant is cut down.

How to identify cutworms for pest control
It's worth noting that cutworms do their damage at night, preferring to hide in thatch during the day. That's why the easiest way to spot a cutworm problem is with a flashlight. Simply shine the light on the damaged areas of shrubs. If you can see movement in the foliage, chances are good you could be dealing with a cutworm infestation.

If you're still unsure, go out into your lawn with a bucket of warm soapy water and pour it onto an area where the damage is most pronounced.  Pour the water over the patch and watch for cutworms to rise to the surface within the next ten minutes.  

Cutworms can be anywhere from 2 – 5 cm long.  They may be bronze, brown, or green, and often exhibit a pattern.  This makes it tough to identify cutworms properly as they are not so named for their looks or a particular type as much as their feeding habits.  Cutworms belong to the Noctuidae family. 

Cutworms are also recognizable from the way they shy away from foreign objects.  If you see a caterpillar you think may be a cutworm, hold your hand or a stick near it.  If it curls up in a ball, it is a cutworm.  If not, then you may have a different variety of pest eating your lawn.  For more information on grub infestations to help with your Burlington pest control, see our article on grub control. 

Adjusting your lawn maintenance to get rid of cutworms
Cutworm is killed with insecticides that are applied to the victimized plants.  Once the cutworms begin to feed at night, they will also begin feeding on the poison.  Remember to look for insecticides that are legal under the Ontario herbicide and pesticide bans.  Treatments like natural nematodes can work wonders on a frustrating cutworm problem.

Creating a barrier around your plants is another great way to ensure that your pest control treatment works properly.  This can involve some kind of tube that is placed around the plants you want to protect in your garden.  These can be bought, or else homemade with paper towel or toilet paper rolls.  The idea is to keep the worms away from your vegetation. You can then treat the area outside the tube to remove the pests without harming your garden or turf.

For water conscious and reliable sprinklers for your lawn maintenance this summer, get your free quote from Nutri-Lawn Burlington today!